Almost all businesses need an online presence to market their products today. That’s why they set up websites in hopes of attracting customers to purchase products. With over 4.57 Billion Internet users, a chunk of that large (!) pie can sustain sales forever.
But it’s easier said than done, how can you attract people to visit your website in the first place? That’s where SEO comes into play.
SEO or Search Engine Optimization plays on Google’s search engine algorithm to rank on specific keywords your target market searches. SEO is vital because it drives organic traffic to your website on top of your other marketing efforts. It’s like Google is marketing for you for free!
Here’s the salary range for SEO specialists, depending on the skill level.
As this is a growing niche, how do you take advantage as an aspiring remote worker or a practicing SEO specialist? How can you get an online job in this niche?
Here are 11 qualities and skills you need to have to be a sought after Filipino SEO specialist.
Website Analysis
The first step of every SEO specialist is the ability to analyze your client’s website. You need to know where you are to get to where you want to go. Most clients don’t know how SEO works. You should be the one directing the sails.
Check how optimized their articles are to certain keywords. Audit what website improvements can be done to increase rankings. Compare them with their competitors and build an SEO action plan.
In this way, you will be sought after because you don’t take action blindly. You know how to drive results to your clients based on what they have today.
Keyword Research
There are thousands of keywords you can rank online. But you don’t have all the time in the world to do that. You need to be smart with your time as your clients want to see results as fast as possible.
That’s why the second skill you need to have is keyword research. Depending on your company’s current standing, you need to customize a plan to target low competition keywords to easily rank for them.
By slowly building multiple ranking web posts, you can increase your client’s domain authority and visibility on the search engine.
Evaluating Google Analytics Numbers
Google Analytics is probably the most important tool for any SEO specialist. This is where you get comprehensive data about your client’s website performance. You can see multiple parameters like bounce rates, website traffic sources, and more.
But how do you use that data to your advantage? It is already given that you should know how to analyze the data. Based on the data, is your current strategy working? Or do you need to adjust some approaches?
You need to be adept at this to become sought after by many.
Content Generation
As the adage postulates, content is king. Knowing the data and technicalities is one thing. But not focusing on quality content will make all your efforts useless. After all, you are marketing to people, not search engines.
As an SEO specialist, you have to know what type of content should be shown. Should you use an infographic? Is video content suitable for this content? What type of images should be utilized? What kind of voice should be used in the blog articles?
Content generation should be hand-in-hand with the SEO efforts to produce quality results on the search engines.
Basic Copywriting Skills
Sometimes, you need to do the writing yourself. SEO specialists optimize articles for keywords and metatags on the daily basis, you should know how to craft sentences that can sell.
Basic copywriting skills are needed to smoothly insert SEO related keywords in a human manner. It should flow hand-in-hand with the article while increasing following the best SEO practices.
Basic HTML
Another aspect that you should know is basic HTML. HTML is a programming language used by most websites. And knowing it’s raw structure and common commands will be helpful in your SEO efforts.
If you need to troubleshoot something, you can lightly check the HTML of the website to gauge what went wrong. If you want to fix the headings and title tags, you can understand what’s happening on a deeper level.
Link Building
Another proven SEO practice is link building. It’s the process of having multiple external links from other websites to your web posts.
Link building is even proven to increase Google rankings. If many link to your article, it means the information is valuable enough for many. After all, why will they make you a source article in the first place?
Updated on SEO Algorithm Changes
Google is evolving every day. They aim to improve the user experience by tweaking the algorithm to provide the best results to queries as possible. And you should know every time that happens.
Some changes create drastic differences between today and now. For example, back then, you just need to flood the keywords to your article to rank even though it doesn’t make sense. If you do that now, you will be heavily penalized by Google.
So as a topnotch SEO specialist, you should know the updates and create a plan of action accordingly.
Critical Thinking Couple with Creativity
Practicing SEO is not simple. You also need to practice creativity and critical thinking. Out of all the millions of websites out there, how can you stand out from the rest? Are there current trends you can capitalize on? How can you beat your competitors?
All this boils down to how you use your data, and executing a plan based on it. As a sought-after SEO specialist, you need to use these talents to your advantage.
Collaboration Skills
Marketing efforts is not something you do alone. Technical skills don’t matter if you don’t know how to work with a team. If you want to be a rockstar SEO specialist, you need to learn to communicate and collaborate well with others.
In this way, you can synergize and create beautiful campaigns that will boost your client’s sales.
Initiative
There is nothing wrong with giving the bare minimum in every project. But you want to have a lasting impression on every client. That’s why you need to give the initiative to suggest more improvements that can be beneficial for them.
Always think, what can I offer more? I’m not saying you sell that service for free. But if your client really needs it, why not propose it to them? You’ll never know. The fact that they know you care about their business makes all the difference.
Creating Your Resume
Creating a resume is really simple. You just need to think of what the client wants. And include those experiences you have that’s relevant to your target.
For example, they are looking for an SEO specialist, and they are in the farming industry. If you have any experience in that industry, you should include it there. Do not include your cooking skills or anything irrelevant to what they want.
Also, check out professional templates in Canva for resumes. You want to stand out from the rest so making your resume pleasing to the eye is a must.
Zero Work Experience?
If you still don’t have the experience in remote working, you can check out this free course to get accustomed to an online setup.
But if you don’t have any experience in SEO, you can check out courses from Udemy or join communities like Filipino Freelancers with Australian Clients to get new skills. There are plenty of resources online, you just have to choose the right one.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are the following skills that can propel you to the next level.
If you’re looking for SEO opportunities, register at Remote Staff PH to get the remote work you’ve always wanted! Good luck with your online career!